Index Deaths of local interest in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties are: • *Helen (Tillie) Aikens, 92, Hamden. • Eddie George Chamberlin, 86, South Hartwick. • *Virginia (Canfield) Kelly, 96, Williamsburg, Va. • *John Arthur Pope, 80, Sidney. • Robert L. Wright, 90, Oneonta. *Full obituary in today’s Daily Star.

He was born, along with his twin sister Mary Francis, on June 22, 1925, in Chicago, Ill., to Arthur and Jennifer M. Pope.

He was raised in the New York City area and when he was 17, he joined the United States Army. He spent 20 years of his life in the Army and served during both World War II and the Korean War. He received more than 40 medals including four Purple Hearts for injuries received in combat.

His career also allowed him to travel all over the world including Okinawa, Japan, The Phillipines and Italy. He became fluent in Italian, and the four years he spent in Trieste were some of the happiest of his whole life.

He retired from the military in 1963, and because of the GI Bill, was able to attend both New York University and Columbia University.

He then became the owner of the Maltese Falcon Store on Columbus Avenue in New York City, where he sold used furniture, clothing and antiques.

In 1970, he married Susan Bilton, and in 1976, they purchased the house on River Street in Sidney. He spent the rest of his life trying to restore the inside of the house and had a real appreciation for Victorian Architecture.

John spent years at auctions, flea markets and antique stores buying and selling antiques and collectibles. He had a great love of history, was a fanatic about trains, a passion for growing flowers all over his yard, loved reading books and magazines and spent his last hours on the Earth listening to his favorite jazz songs.

John will always be remembered for his outgoing personality and the way he always stood up for what he believed was right. He never thought twice about helping a friend in need and always offered his advice and a shoulder to cry on. He had a tremendous spirit and a unique sense of humor that could make an entire room full of people listen to his every word.

John always believed in volunteering and donating to charities and was a member of the National Democratic Committee, the Sierra Club, WSKG PBS stations in Binghamton, the National Humane Society, the National Model Railroaders Association, the Leatherstocking Railway Society, the Veterans Of Foreign Wars, the 96th Infantry Division, the Loyal Order of the Purple Heart and his beloved Disabled American Veterans Post in Oneonta.

John was predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Jean and Irene Pope; and his loving wife, Susan Bilton Pope.

He leaves behind his son, John and Barbara Pope; his daughter, Christina and Rob Bargher; and his grandchildren, Rebecca, Frank, Gerald and Elizabeth; along with several great-grandchildren. John also leaves behind several incredible friends who did so many things to fill his life with laughter and love.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of the people who stood by John during sickness and health. Thank you to those who were lifelong true friends and even those who met him more recently but have done all they could to fill his days with joy and happiness. May the memories that you have shared never be far from your hearts.

Special thanks to the Sidney Fire Department for their incredible care during all of his emergencies and to the Sidney Police Department, Troop C and Attorney Frederick Neroni for making sure that John’s wishes are being honored, even in death.

A memorial service will be scheduled in Sidney to honor John’s memory at a later date.

He will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the DAV Oneonta Chapter No. 200, PO Box 165, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are under the care of the Joyce Funeral Home, Unadilla, and the family would like to thank them for their wonderful friendship to John while he was alive.

She was born Aug. 12, 1908, in Stamford, the daughter of Clyde and Effie (Montgomery) Canfield.

Virginia had a younger brother, Howard. The family moved to Oneonta when Virginia was 6 years old. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, she attended Normal School in Oneonta, majoring in education. Her first position was a first grade teacher in Catskill.

In 1965, Virginia married Carlton Kelly. He was the transportation manager for "Dairylea," a milk company.

Carlton and Virginia enjoyed boating on the Hudson River. Virginia was treasurer of the Cornwall Yacht Club. They loved going to football games and watching Penn State and Princeton play.

Through the years, Virginia was interested in gardening. She was an officer in the Garden Club in Middleton and in Venice Nokomis.

Virginia retired from teaching in 1970, after a 41-year career.

In 1980, Carlton and Virginia moved to Florida where they lived at a retirement center. Carlton died Feb. 20, 2000.

In June of 2001, she moved to Williamsburg, Va., to be near her nephew, Bob Canfield and his family.

She is survived by her two stepsons, Ed Kelly and Jim Kelly; and two nephews, Bob Canfield and Jack Canfield.

A graveside service for Virginia and Carlton will be held at noon Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in the Glenwood Cemetery in Oneonta, with the Rev. Thomas Clemow, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Oneonta, officiating.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., in Oneonta, is serving the family.

A private family graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, April 17, in Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta.

Arrangements are being handled by Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Arrangements are pending with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

She was born June 7, 1913, in Bovina, the daughter of Walter and Wilhelmina (Cooke) Wilson.

She married Arthur J. Aikens on May 28, 1936, in Bovina Center. He predeceased her April 20, 1999.

A 1932 graduate of the old Delaware Academy School in Delhi, Helen went on to complete a summer course at Troy Business School. Using the means she gained by completing the business course, she assisted her husband in his trucking and auction business and also ran a gas station in Hamden for 18 years.

She became bookkeeper for her husband when he served for 16 years as Hamden Town Supervisor. For 12 years she was employed as a postal clerk at the Hamden Post Office. She retired in 1978.

A more than 60-year member of the DeLancey United Presbyterian Church, Helen also enjoyed membership in the Willowemoc Chapter of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Hamden Senior Citizens, the Delaware County Democrat Club, the Delaware County Historical Association and several other local groups and organizations.

She is survived by a daughter, L. Ann and Richard Liddle of Andes; two grandsons, Roger and Carolyn Liddle of Andes and Daniel and Michele Liddle of Lone Tree, Colo.; and great-grandchildren, Kate and Justin Liddle of Lone Tree, Colo.

Graveside services will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2006, in the Andes Cemetery, with the Rev. Jane Ann Groom of the Andes Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Joseph Bokel, chaplain for Catskill Area Hospice and the Delaware County Countryside Care Center, officiating.

There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 116 Main St., Delhi, NY 13753; the Delhi Emergency Squad, the DeLancey Presbyterian Church; or the Andes Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, in loving memory of Helen (Tillie) Aikens.

Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.